REVELATIONS a major chain store is selling crop-top bras for toddlers should provoke a serious rethink in Australia about how children are being raised in our society, Tasmanian Liberal Senator Stephen Parry said today.

Senator Parry has long held concerns about the increasing prevalence of the early sexualisation of our children through the commercial media, fashion and retail industries.

“No one should be surprised by the reported comments of Monash University developmental psychiatry professor Louise Newman that the trend of pressuring young girls to grow up sooner is taking a heavy psychological toll,’’ he said.

“The only question we should be asking is what can we as a society do to protect our children; to allow kids to be kids?’’

Senator Parry said those responsible for marketing to children needed to think about their responsibility to the community.

“You have to wonder what goes through the mind of someone who designs bras for toddlers or – as we have also seen recently – baby clothes with inappropriate adult slogans,’’ he said.

“Most likely, they are not thinking. They have become slaves to a trend that is preying on our children from all directions – from magazines to music videos, from clothes to toys.

“It is not enough to say this should be a matter for parental discretion.

“We need to remember the adage that it takes a village to raise a child and support parents by saying no to marketing and media that crosses the line.’’

Senator Parry was a member of the Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts, which said in its June 2008 report that `preventing the premature sexualisation of children is a significant cultural challenge’.

`This is a community responsibility which demands action by society. In particular, the onus is on broadcasters, publishers, advertisers, retailers and manufacturers to take account of these community standards,’ the report said.

“The committee recommended that the steps being taken to address concern over child sexualisation in the media by industry bodies and others should be further considered by the Senate in 18 months,’’ Senator Parry said.

“Almost 18 months on, and with more and more examples of inappropriate behaviour by retailers and others, I call on the Australian Government to ensure action is taken in following up the committee’s report and addressing this very serious issue.’’

Senator Parry said he would like to think the organisations marketing these products would exercise greater responsibility; otherwise the only remaining option would be to legislate to enforce a community standard.

“It would be disappointing if the Australian Government was forced to legislate because industry had failed to take heed of community concerns,’’ he said.
Senator Stephen Parry